CH972-10 Group Research Project
Introductory description
The cohort will be split into groups that will work together to share knowledge and understanding of an area of contemporary polymer chemistry with the aim of writing a proposal to address a challenge within this area. The proposal will be written and also presented orally at a specially arranged session. The proposals will then be peer-reviewed by the other groups against strict criteria.
Module aims
The aim of this module is to make students aware of how the material from the preceding modules needs to be integrated in order to be applied to real polymer science problems. Essential parts of the module are critical problem analysis, independent literature research, evaluation of a programme of experimental work, preparation of progress presentations and reports. These tasks are tackled in small teams (ca 5/6 persons), thus team-work capabilities are also trained.
Outline syllabus
This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.
Lecture: To introduce the problems and approaches that the students may wish to take. (3 hours)
Tutorials/Progress Meetings: To support and direct student learning/research (15 hours)
Group Research project Students will be placed in groups (of ca. 5). Each group will be given a real life challenge to work on and will have 4 weeks to identify/analyze the main scientific/technical problems, perform literature research, formulate a solution and design a series of experiments before presenting their results both orally and as a written report/proposal. Each group will then evaluate the other groups work in the final week to provide peer review.
A wide range of possible projects could be undertaken based on theoretical, perceived or real problems. Several such projects will be formed based on the feedback/interaction with industrial companies.
This module will improve team work ability of the students and will provide the necessary experience in project managing that they might be facing in their first industrial experience. Furthermore, the students will present their approach to the solution of the problem and demonstrate the quality of the product.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Evaluate the importance of polymer design, synthesis and characterization for specific applications
- Critically analyse a problem and be able to propose a solution
- Integrate several sophisticated synthetic and analytical methods in the formulation of every detail of a process
- Interpret complex data including the appropriate treatment of errors in analysis
- Review of others proposals and solutions
Research element
Research of problem, team work to prepare proposal and presentation.
Subject specific skills
Key Skills:
Written and oral communication Teamworking Interpretative skills
Ability to extract relevant information from various sources (books, journals, web resources) : Reading and interpretation Implementing advanced methodology Time management Troubleshooting Cognitive Skills Critical analysis; making decisions based on interpretation of literature information Formulate and solve complex problems
Subject-Specific/Professional Skills Research methodology: implementation of literature methods Understand the process of solving a real-world problem in polymer science
Transferable skills
TBC
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Lectures | 1 session of 1 hour (1%) |
| Project supervision | 10 sessions of 2 hours (20%) |
| Private study | 29 hours (29%) |
| Assessment | 50 hours (50%) |
| Total | 100 hours |
Private study description
Preparation of assessment
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A2
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
Assessment component |
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| Group Report/Proposal | 60% | 30 hours | No |
|
A 4,000-word group report. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Individual Report/Appraisal | 20% | 10 hours | No |
|
A 1,000-word individual report. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Assessment component |
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| Group Presentation | 20% | 10 hours | No |
|
A 30-minute group presentation. |
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Reassessment component is the same |
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Feedback on assessment
Feedback will be provided to groups on a constant basis throughout the module via seminars/tutorials with an academic assigned to direct the project. Additionally, formative feedback will be provided using written forms following assessment.
Courses
This module is Core for:
- Year 1 of TCHS-F1PK Postgraduate Taught Polymer Chemistry
-
TCHA-F1PW Postgraduate Taught Polymer Science
- Year 1 of F1PW Polymer Science
- Year 2 of F1PW Polymer Science
This module is Core optional for:
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PX Postgraduate Taught Analytical and Polymer Science
This module is Unusual option for:
- Year 3 of TCHA-F1PW Postgraduate Taught Polymer Science
This module is Core option list B for:
- Year 1 of TCHA-F1PX Postgraduate Taught Analytical and Polymer Science